I was at these two tour opening shows, and with vivid memories of the year before in Hampton, at the time I was bit underwhelmed in comparison to the 4/9/83 show. But it still was a very good show. This excellent Rob Eaton source confirms that fact. Charlie Miller just upgraded this version as well, so look for that 24 bit source soon. My review is based on this new source.

Hampton was clearly becoming a hot spot for the Dead and would remain that way for the remainder of the decade.

This show may look " ordinary" on paper but the devil are in the details.

A little tongue in cheek humor by opening up the show with " Day Job" instead of closing it out with it. Fun fact #2 two is the last night in Virginia- during the previous fall tour opener, they started the second set in Richmond with this very same song.

Ok sorry TMI. The Minglewood is somewhat disjointed but Jerry and crew pull out an really sweet " Dire Wolf" that has that extra punch, which continues and only gets better as the show progresses. Brent is really clear in this mix, as is Phil and this recording has a wonderful soundstage.

As others have noted " BIODTL" is a tight and a cooking version. Jerry gets alttle sinister with a very good " West L.A."- which was still considered a new song in the spring of 1984. Jerry's voice is in good shape, as it would become quite rough over the next two years.

The band raves it up for "AON". Next up is an amazing " Bird Song" on the first night of the tour and it is a dramatic version. These mid 1980's IMHO were simply some of the best ever played and this one is quite enjoyable and Phil and Brent really add much to it. The jam is simply so much more driving and focused compared to post 1990 versions.

A tight " Bucket" and " Don't Ease me In' close out a very enjoyable first set.

As other have noted the " Scarlet> Fire" is extremely well played from start to finish. These mid 1980's versions are meticulous in their details and offer both amazing playing during the transition from " Scarlet"- Brent tries a cool conga sound on his synth, this sound would be featured at the beginning of the monster "Scarlet> Fire" from DP's Vol. 16. I really loved it as he used it at the beginning of " Franklin's Tower" from the 4/9/83 show as well. Sadly he would abandon this effect after Hartford shows in the fall,.

Onto Fire, which is amazing and granted not completely over the top but is extraordinary for numerous reasons. Jerry's phasing is such a treat during this time period. He really takes the listener on a transformative journey and rewards the listener greatly. Phil is also playing much stronger by this point and add much to the sonic delight as well. Mickey I think is playing the Tar the entire song, which is somewhat weird, as it does have the effect of slowing down the tempo.

Estimated is a rare stand alone version and they jam it out quite nicely, as it clocks in at over 15 minutes. Bobby is more reserved and going about the business of playing an outstanding version and not screaming his bloody head off.

The D/S are extremely good this night and the transition into " The Wheel" is simply amazing. Then a funny start to the beginning, which they do pull off quite well, of "
Truckin'" and then it is a rocking race to the finish as the band goes old school and rocks the " Spaceshsip"- well it was not called that back in 1984, big time.

No ballads this night just pure get up and dance your asses off and celebrate a Friday night with the best band in the land kids

They close out with a rousing version of "U.S. Blues" and during the Reagan era we had much to be blue about back in those days.

Happy Trails.

Hey Gang, contrary to some of the "haters" out there this show is not a throw away especially this source. I give it 5 stars because of the recording, and the second set is well played. Many kudos to Rob Eaton using his Nuemann U-87's which are legendary studio large diaphragm condenser microphones; probably 5K worth of equipment. However, they must have had them high enough to escape the crowd noise and handclaps that Front of Board recordings exhibit more than often. This source sounds almost broadcast quality …

"Jerry was never the same after the coma in 86"

Then why did the Grateful Dead remaster and re-release the entire 1990 Spring Tour?

The only other entire tour officially released by the band was Europe 72.

"nothing in 89 was legendary"

The Warlocks 1989 Hampton shows were officially released by the band as a box set, putting them on par with Winterland 73.

1989-1990 is widely acknowledge by both the band and fans alike as being one of the peak performing eras of their 30 year run.

Why are you so negative?

Couldn't care less what your "reasoning" is..a silly a brainless comment. Saw a xcouple hindred shows including abour 40 Garacia showsbeen to almost every indoor arena they played between '80-'86 and this was one of the best indoor arenas..the toilet was Nassau, with Hartford a very close second.

Sorry Quiche I was at Hampton '89, some of my last shows - they were not legendary by any stretch of the imagination. Nothing in '89 was, Jerry was never tjhe same after the coma in '86. Who could blame the man - he had to learn how to play again. The fact he performed at all after that was amazing.

Why don't you back up your statements with any reasoning? I suspect it's because you have none... except maybe that you're embittered about Hampton in some way.
This is a solid-to-great show, as most of the more considered reviews here and on other sources will attest.
Whatever you may think of Hampton, clearly the Dead loved the place, playing there year in, year out and choosing it for the legendary Warlocks shows of '89.

Hampton was a great place to se ethe band, and they did great shows there. These '84 shows were great. This is a real nice aud. The Scalret >Fire is fantastic, as are all on this tour, 4.20 and 4.26.

This is obviouslynot the first taper section show - the FOB in the source should have told you that. The taper section started at the BCT run for Halloween '84. I saw the Greek and the kaiser, never saw BCT, those shows are good too.

Save your time and hardrive space!

Hampton was a toilet...

Wasn't this the first show with an official tapers section?

This show was memorable for a few reasons;

1st set - beginning of Spring tour--the band kinda slept through 1st 5 numbers (shortened BIODTL)..then all of a sudden-Brent decides to wake everyone up cranking up the organ on All Over Now--> the band takes note -and proceeds to deliver one of the finest versions I've ever heard!!Brent's solo still raises the hair on my neck to this day!! Ensuing Birdsong was soulful!

Who could forget the 2nd set!! The audience roars to life when Jerry kicks into Scarlet. I particularly liked that Garcia really drew out the jam/segue into Fire...and the thunderous echo throughout the arena of Garcia, Weir and Mydland singing "FIRE" " Fire on The Mountain!" More hair-raising bliss. Finally--the interplay between Bobby & Jerry when Jerry is trying to launch into Eyes--Bobby won't let him! Loved that venue!!

If I was stuck on a desert island and only allowed 10 pieces of music, the Scarlet > Fire from this show would be in my top five. In part, this is for sentimental reasons - it was my second Dead show, which I saw with some close friends. But for the most part my pick would be based upon some truly inspired playing. A fast, heavy strum lick from Jerry near the end of the Scarlet solo that I have never heard duplicated elsewhere, followed by a great segue between the two tunes and some fine drumming on Fire.

This is an upgrade of the previous version of the clear, ambient Eaton recording that I have been listening to for many years. Thanks to the tapers, the people who put the hard work into conversion, and the Archive for providing an assortment of excellent auds from the masters so that we can select and listen according to our tastes.

Hey Leg room. If this is a three star, you must have seen some incredible shows. I think this is a 4 plus so I'm going to give it a 5 to bring you up.

Fire was awesome. ....definitive.... Hampton was a space ship and the drumzzzzzzz echoed like a countdown. I was at Richmond and a few others memorable fires. Tasty in their own right. This show had snap crackle and pop. And still makes me goose bump.

Personal aside: tunnel vision in the taper section during Bird Song...one deep breath, two deep breath....three....oh thank god i can see more than Jerry's purple light guitar.... I didn't faint and take out charlie, rob, mug and whoever else was tapin.

Thanx Rob & Charlie. This is a huge upgrade over my cassettes. I saw most of my 1st dozen or so show in the mid-Atlantic states. By this time I had made the move to FL, so I took the train up to NC to hang with some old friends at Hampton. Sadly my last time at this venue. Everybody is clear in the mix especially Phil. I love the keyboard that Brent used during this time. I remember a bell shaped brown piece (not the B3) that faced the audience. It was in nice condition and had a real great chunky sound that is indicative of this era. I believe Scott Larned from DSO was able to purchase before his passing. The sound quality does lack in overall richness. I would listen to make sure you like it. I am very happy to have it!
1st set: highlights are Brent's scat vocal on over now, a thick Bird Song, a real solid mid 80's Bucket.
2nd set: Nice Scarlet followed by an almost Brooding Phil led jam, real interesting feel on this one. I know folks love to gush about the Fire from Richmond the following fall and don't want to argue the best version etc., this one deserves a real thorough listen. This one lacks the great Jerry growl and fast jam at the end as in Richmond but what a 'beaut. Mickey is almost melodically playing a hand drum. Very nice Jerry leads and the final chorus features to nice effect a sort of delayed loop. The Estimated is real thick with a great outro jam. A couple of times it sounds like a fast 80's Eyes is in the offing only to wend into drums. These are great drums, not very boomy, but loud and inventive on a smaller scale. Space starts out very guitar oriented until Brent comes out and adds lots of texture, interesting noises accompany. The rest of the show the boys prove they are a very adept rock band. Peace